Brewster solar dreams still gimmering

Thursday

Feb 20, 2014 at 6:35 PMFeb 20, 2014 at 6:41 PM

Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative President John Checklick noted all the phase two projects (about 18) that were seemingly adrift when the contractor building and planning to operate them, Broadway Electric of South Boston, announced they were “winding down” the 78-year old business in January, are still a glimmering.

Rich Eldred

The sun hasn’t set on local solar projects yet.

Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative President John Checklick noted all the phase two projects (about 18) that were seemingly adrift when the contractor building and planning to operate them, Broadway Electric of South Boston, announced they were “winding down” the 78-year old business in January, are still a glimmering.

The two projects that were on the critical list; Commerce Park in Brewster where 30 acres of forest was to be cut or pruned) and Independence Park in Hyannis, were both rescued on Friday when a down payment to reserve net-metering credits from NStar was made. In Brewster’s case the payment was for $11,000.

“This is true the payment was made last Friday,” Checklick said. “It was for net-metering credit and the project is still qualified. I believe the payment was made by Broadway Electric.”

Checklick was on vacation so he’s not fully up to date.

“The Barnstable Independence Park payment was made as well,” he confirmed.

Unfortunately, Broadway Electric missed the Dec. 31, deadline to spend half the money for the Commerce Park Project and thus lost eligibility for Solar Renewable Energy Credits from Massachusetts which it was going to sell to NStar to help make the enterprise financially viable.

The Commonwealth will have another SREC program available after June 30, this summer but those SREC’s will be biased towards brown field sites such as landfills and such. Clearing woods will result in only 70-percent of their value being recouped.

“I’m still optimistic the projects will get built,” Checklick said. “As to how it all turns out that’s yet to be determined.”

The town of Brewster is in a holding pattern as to whether to proceed or not – awaiting more information.